P18.2-M marijuana destroyed in Sulu
MARIJUANA
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have uprooted about 21,200 fully grown, high-grade marijuana plants valued at P18.2 million, and seized high-powered firearms during a law enforcement operation in two remote plantations in Sulu province on Thursday.
Brig. Gen. Alaric Avelino delos Santos, 1102nd Infantry Brigade commander, said Friday that the marijuana plantations were discovered in Barangays Masjid Punjungan and Pitogo, both in Kalingalan Caluang town.
“The scale, maturity, and quality of the plantations indicate an organized and well-established illegal cultivation operation situated in remote and difficult terrain,” Delos Santos said in his report.
The alleged cultivators, identified as Mods and his cohorts, evaded arrest and are being pursued.
Troops seized six high-powered firearms left behind by the alleged cultivators – four M-16 rifles, an M-14 rifle, and a Garand rifle, as well as ammunition.
Delos Santos said ongoing follow-up operations aim to maintain pressure and prevent criminal groups from gaining a foothold in the province.
Maj. Gen. Leonardo Peña, commander of the Army’s 11th Infantry Division, highlighted the importance of unified action, noting that the successful law enforcement operation shows strong coordination among the military, police, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
“These results demonstrate the effectiveness of a whole-of-government approach,” Peña said in a statement.
The uprooted marijuana plants were burned onsite.